Curved Dryer Base Air Guiding for Vortex Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tumble dryers with heat pumps face limitations in energy efficiency and noise generation due to restricted installation space and unstable vortex shedding at the impact surface of the drying air flow, leading to increased energy consumption and noise.
Innovation Solution
A base assembly with a separating base that includes a support section for the condenser and a duct section with an air inlet opening, featuring an air guiding section with a deflection section that rises without flow edges, directing the drying air smoothly into the duct section, thereby eliminating vortex shedding and reducing power consumption and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the air inlet opening is arranged close to the support base arrangement plane to save space, then the installation space is optimized, but unstable vortex shedding occurs at the impact surface leading to increased noise and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The air guiding section features a curved impact surface that redirects the drying air flow smoothly into the duct section. This curved geometry eliminates sharp edges and corners that would cause vortex shedding, allowing the air flow to transition smoothly while maintaining compact dimensions. The curvature radius is specifically designed to be between 5mm and 20mm to optimize flow guidance without excessive space consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The air guiding section acts as an intermediary element between the support base arrangement plane and the duct section. It mediates the transition of drying air flow by providing a curved impact surface that redirects the air flow, preventing direct impact and vortex formation at the junction. This intermediary structure resolves the conflict between compact space utilization and smooth flow guidance.
2Loss of energy
If a larger condenser is installed to increase heat exchange volume and energy efficiency, then the energy efficiency improves, but the installation space constraints are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The air guiding section utilizes the vertical dimension by extending downward from the support base arrangement plane. This allows the condenser to be positioned in a three-dimensional space that optimizes heat exchange surface area without increasing the horizontal footprint. The curved impact surface is positioned at a specific distance (5mm to 20mm) from the arrangement plane, creating efficient use of vertical space for both air flow guidance and condenser accommodation.
3Device complexity
If the drying air flow directly impacts the support base arrangement plane, then the duct structure is simplified, but unstable vortex shedding occurs leading to increased power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The air guiding section introduces a curved impact surface that redirects the drying air flow smoothly into the duct section, eliminating the need for complex duct configurations while preventing vortex shedding. The curvature radius of 5mm to 20mm is optimized to balance flow guidance effectiveness with structural simplicity, maintaining low power consumption without excessive duct complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances energy efficiency by reducing power consumption and noise, allowing for a larger condenser installation and improved air flow, resulting in quieter and more efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
an air guiding section, which is arranged downstream of the support section with respect to the drying air flow and which has at least one deflection section rising from the support floor in the direction of the channel section without any flow edges
Implementation Method 2
a condenser which gives off heat to the drying air used for drying laundry
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator which absorbs heat from the drying air
Implementation Method 4
Evaporation of the refrigerant mainly takes place in the evaporator of the heat pump
Implementation Method 5
The compressed refrigerant travels from the compressor to the condenser of the heat pump, where it liquefies while releasing heat
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a floor assembly (1) for an appliance (2) for drying laundry, having at least one separator (3) with at least one carrying portion (4) for carrying a condenser (5) of a heat pump, wherein the carrying portion (4) contains at least one depression (7) with a carrying base (8), on which the condenser (5) can be positioned, and having at least one channel portion (12) which adjoins the carrying portion (3) downstream, as seen in relation to a drying-air flow, and has an air-entry opening (13), which is spaced apart from a plane (18) on which the carrying base (8) is arranged. In order to improve the energy efficiency of an appliance (2) for drying laundry during a drying operation carried out by said appliance, and to reduce the amount of noise developed during the drying operation, it is proposed that the separator (3) should have at least one air-directing portion (15) which is arranged downstream of the carrying portion (4), as seen in relation to the drying-air flow, and which has at least one deflecting portion (16) which slopes up, without any flow edges, from the carrying base (8) in the direction of the channel portion (12), wherein an end of the air-directing portion (15) which is oriented away from the depression (7) is in alignment with an entry edge (19) of the air-entry opening (13).